Essentials of American Politics—based on the acclaimed We the People, Third Edition—is the perfect alternative to larger, more expensive American government texts. Compelling and concise, Essentials of American Politics provides thorough coverage of core topics while underscoring the direct impact of government on students' lives and the vital importance of political engagement to a democratic society. Outstanding Pedagogy "Main Message" and "Key Concepts" Boxes Each chapter opens with a single-sentence "Main Message" that highlights the central concept on which the chapter is based. The following "Key Concepts" box outlines important ideas for students to keep in mind as they read. Key Sentence Headings In keeping with the book's emphasis on core concepts, topic headings within sections of each chapter are phrased as sentences that summarize the material that follows. Balloon Captions Throughout the text, figures and tables are accompanied by balloon captions that highlight crucial information or explain the flow of a diagram, making lengthy captions unnecessary. End-of-Chapter Review Material The text of each chapter is followed by a study outline, practice quiz, critical thinking questions, and a list of key terms, providing ample opportunity for students to review what they have read. Impressive Resources for Teachers and Students Essentials of American Politics is accompanied by valuable tools for students and teachers. A Student Web Site includes practice quizzes and review materials that expand the scope of the text and encourage mastery of essential concepts. A Test-Item File for instructors—available in printed or electronic form—contains true/false and multiple-choice questions for each chapter of the text. Attractive Price At less than half the price of longer American government texts, Essentials of American Politics offers students exceptional content and value.